Shuka and Sharana's Fateful Mission

The two demon messengers, Shuka and Sharana, disguised themselves as monkeys and infiltrated Rama's army. However, they couldn't estimate the strength of Rama's army because the number of monkeys seemed infinite. The sight of so many strong soldiers frightened the unfortunate demons. Shuk and Sharan saw monkey after monkey as far as their vision extended. Some had already crossed the ocean, some were crossing, and others were preparing to cross.

Vibhishana recognized the two demon messengers and presented them before Rama. Shuk and Sharan were scared stiff, fearing death as punishment. They begged Rama for mercy, explaining they were merely following Ravana's orders.

"You only did what you were told to do," Rama said to the two demons with a smile. "Return to Lanka and tell Ravana to display the strength he used to kidnap Sita on the battlefield. Tomorrow, Ravana will witness how my arrows will devastate the city of Lanka, including all its demons. Just as Indra attacked the demons with his Vajra, I will unleash a torrent of arrows upon them."

Shuk and Sharan returned to Lanka and recounted their imprisonment to Ravana. They confessed that they deserved death as punishment but were forgiven by Rama. They extolled the power of Rama, Lakshmana, and Sugriva, comparing them to Indra, the king of the gods, and asserted that each alone could annihilate Lanka. They added that even a combined force of gods and demons could not defeat Rama, Lakshmana, and Sugriva. They urged Ravana to abandon the idea of war.

"Even if the gods, demons, and gandharvas were all against me, I would not release Sita," said Ravana in a harsh voice. "You were frightened by the large monkey army—that is why you advise me to abandon the idea of war. No one can defeat me in battle."

Shuka and Sharana were deeply impressed by the enthusiasm and strength of the monkey soldiers. They tried to convey Rama's might to Ravana. Shuka described the monkeys' bravery and courage, explaining that they were the progeny of gods and gandharvas, possessing god-like power. He also noted their adeptness in disguise and stated that their numbers were in the lakhs.